PondHunter

An ABU 6601.

It's an ABU Swimbasser. Thanks! I guess I should have said that in the beginning.

The best thing I can tell you is to learn how to tie on a Flouro leader. Flouro takes on a coil too easily and is too expensive to fill a reel with enough of it to fish effectively. I fish in alot of clear water and the flouro leader is definitely an advantage. I had a reel spooled with flouro and it coiled up within a day. The double surgeon's knot is very easy to tie, and makes a great loop in the braid. Use a good interlocking loop connection and it will hold up well.

I took my reel apart to clean it and there was some grease on the brake discs. They are supposed the be dry aren't they?

Another vote for Stren MagnaThin.

I used to use spinning gear for my small crankbaits until i got a Curado 201. Now, its no problem to throw small cranks. Cheap reels won't cut it. There are plenty of good reels out there that will work just fine.

Mikes reel repair has alot of bearings for the Abu's. I plan on getting new bearings, drag discs, and the ball bearing levelwind w/ceramic pawl for my 5600.

I organize mine by depth also. Then I use a fine sharpie to write on the underside what depth the lure runs. It can be frustrating to pick up a bunch of Rogue's and not know which one's float, and which one's suspend.

I also have a Gander Mountain UL rod. Its a 7" rod that lists 4-8lb test. I use 4lb on it and have caught some bass on it. This isnt one of the old school UL buggy whips. It doesnt droop under it own weight. I highly recommend this rod. The part number is GSPS-70SUL.

I like the hollow frogs better because I get a much better hookset with them since the body compresses, and they stay on top of the slop really well.

The only thing I would add is a Pitchin/ Flippin rig. It depends on how much you would use it to determine whether or not you need one. One of your BC outfits will get the job done, but the extra power of the long rod to hoist a fish plus a bunch of weeds out of the water can be a big plus.

I went on a guided trip in May and 6 of us all caught our limit, and they were all very good sized fish with a couple of whoppers.

I use 6lb Stren with a 6ft leader of flouro. The connection is made with a blood knot, which has held very well for me. I have had knots joining braid to flouro come apart. Probably not tying it right, but since I have to tie it, im gonna use what works for me.

A 1/8th oz Black Jighead with a Yellow Eye, dressed with either a Smoke/Fleck or Pumpkinseed grub.

Thanks guys!

to remove grips and the real seat from a rod? Will a heat gun work, or would boiling water melt the glue better? The grips are cork btw. Thanks

For Texas-rigging I use the Mister-Twister keeper hooks. The worms hangs straight, the hook point is totally protected, and the hook-up is great.

No, it's not cheating. I like catching fish, it's the whole point of going. I use whatever helps with that. some of the areas I fish are hit so hard, the only way to get them is with worms or minnows, on flourocarbon. I'm not out there just for the excersize.

Is it better to use a loop knot or tie tight to the lure when tuning crankbaits? I know the loop gives the bait more action, but will it hold its course better if its running to one side if tied directly? Which method will make it easier to determine if the bait isnt running true?

Rapala Shallow Shad Rap in the shad color.

I really like them. Have even caught fish in almost muddy water with very low visibility on them, without rattles or wild colors. The action of a Slug-Go does it all. Tying it on with a loop knot makes it dart even more. Some lures dont look like much in the package or on the shelf, but really come to life in the water, and the Slug-Go is one of them.

I use them for T-rigs exclusively. The worms hangs straight on them, and the hook is much more weedles than an EWG hook rigged texposed. They are great hooks!

I cant wait either! I like to listen to Mike and Mike in the morning on my way to work, and all I hear about is Golf, Basketball, and who's on steroids in Baseball!

I use a jig/grub combo in Smoke or Pumpkinseed. A black 1/8 oz. jighead with a yellow eye specifically.

I havent used that lure, but the Rapala Shallow Shad Rap has worked really well for me. It doesnt have a rattle, but it still catches fish in muddy or stained water, and the design of the bill helps to keep it from getting hungup. Its bouyant enough to back up when you feel it contact cover and rise over it.